Keeping Water on the Land Longer

by Angelina Pryich

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Drought or not, “Keeping Water on the Land Longer” is the goal of much of the BLM work. Whether it’s reclaiming oil and gas disturbances or managing rangeland, BLM focuses a lot of effort on slowing runoff and the erosion process.

Why?

The prosperity of the land is based on the triad of soil, water and vegetation. The longer water remains on and in the land, the greater the potential productivity of that land. Water that slowly infiltrates the soil may be used by plants that, in turn, protect and improve the soil, increasing the ability of the soil to absorb water.

In 2007, BLM continued its efforts to improve the soil and vegetation under its care by keeping as much water on the land as possible. For example, BLM built structures that were designed to protect stream channels from erosion. Stream channel and vegetative conditions were monitored by interdisciplinary teams with assistance from interested members of the public.

Employees of a pipeline company and the BLM visit a gradient control structure on Red Creek.

John Henderson and Jim Glennon of Rock Springs BLM inventory a high mountain stream.

Gordon Toevs of the BLM measures a stream profile.

Douglas Kile of the BLM recordsfence locations using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit.